Match-safe.



N0.s4s,4o5. PATENTED PEB.5,.1907.

c. H. LOVERING.

MATCH SAFE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 1905.

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w; blesses I l W I/ /I/ UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

MATCH-SAFE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

Application filed September 19.1905. Serial No. 279,161.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. LOVERING, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sidney, in the county of Dawson, State of Montana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to match-boxes.

One object of the invention is to provide an exceedingly simple,inexpensive, durable, and efficient match-box embodying suchcharacteristics that one or two matches may be readily taken from thebox without accidentally displacing the remaining matches therein.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingspecification, which describes an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a blank of sheetmetal or other suitable material from which the body of the box isformed. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the matcl1box. Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention comprises a singlepiece of sheet metal or other suitable material comprising parts 2 and3, which are connected together by the oppositely-disposed hingeportions 4, between which is formed a horizontal slot 5, which serves asan opening for the insertion of the matches into the box when the sheetmetal 1 is folded to form the latter. The tongues 4 and slot 5 arelocated approximately on the horizontal diameter of the sheetanetalblank 1, at which point the line of bend lies. The edges of the metal 1intermediate its ends and directly opposite the slot or opening 5 arenotched, as at 6, with the remaining portions 7 and 8 of the edges ofthe respective parts 2 and 3 converging toward their outer ends.

Formed in the outer edges of each of the parts 2 and 3 of the material 1is a suitable notch 9. WVhen the material 1 is folded upon its hingeportions 4, these notches 9 of the parts 2 and 3 register with eachother to provide an opening for the grasping of the matches.

In order to form the box in such manner as to be carried in the vest orother pocket, the

converging edges 7 and 8 of the respective parts 2 and 3 of the material1 are bent upon straight lines 10 and 11, respectively, parallel withthe outer edges of the hinge members 4. These hinge members are bentupon a curve, as shown, and by reason of the converging edges of theparts 2 and 3 and the formation of the oppositely-disposed notches 6 theouter ends of each member 2 and 3 may be brought into or substantiallyinto engagement with each other, the bent edges 7 and 8 overlapping eachother and properly closing the ends of the match-box. From theoverlapping it will be understood that the members 2 and 3, which formthe front and rear of the match-box when the latter is folded, convergefrom the hinge portions 5 to the notched outer ends 9. This sheet-metalmaterial 1 is of'a spring nature, and in order to hold the outer edgesof the parts 2 and 3 in or substantially in engagement with each otherto prevent accidental displacement of the matches within the box Iprovide a U- shaped cover 12, whose sides 13 and 14 converge toward eachother from the bight portion 15 of the cover. This cover is of springmaterial, and consequently by reason of the convergency of its sidemembers 13 and 14 the portions 2 and 3 of the match-box are preventedfrom spreading. It will therefore be understood that the cover has aspring action upon the parts 2 and 3 of the matchbox, and since it itsover the opening 5 it is obvious that when it is removed the matchboxmay be supplied with matches through the slot or opening 5.

What is claimed is A pocket match-box comprising a single piece of sheetmetal bent upon itself at its horizontal diameter, to form a receptacle,and provided with a horizontally-disposed slot formed therein at theline of bend, for the insertion of matches, and with registering notchesat its outer edges to permit their withdrawal when the receptacle is soformed; and a resilient cover adapted to extend over and close saidslot, and to embrace the sides of the receptacle to hold the outer edgesthereof in engagement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. LOVERING.

Witnesses:

IRA M. ALLING, Tnos. C. GARDNER.

